What it means
をおいて expresses strong exclusivity: apart from the specified noun, there is no other person or thing that qualifies, can perform an action, or satisfies the stated condition. It is normally used with a negative expression such as ない or ありません and often corresponds to “other than” or “without.” The construction is formal and emphatic, and it commonly presents the noun as uniquely suitable or indispensable rather than merely excluded.
Usage note
をおいて is more formal than を除いて and usually implies that the stated noun is the only viable or appropriate choice. It should generally not be used as a neutral way to list an exception.
How to use it
この役目を果たせるのは、彼をおいてほかにありません。
There is no one other than him who can fulfill this role.
この役目を果たせるのは、彼をおいてほかにない。
There is no one other than him who can fulfill this role.
Example sentences
この複雑な装置を安全に修理できる技術者は、彼をおいてほかにいない。
Other than him, there is no other technician who can safely repair this complex device.
この地域の歴史をこれほど詳しく知る研究者は、田中教授をおいてほかにいない。
There is no researcher other than Professor Tanaka who knows the history of this region in such detail.
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